Faithinwv Ebulletin April 18, 2021
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APRIL 18, 2021 ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL EARTH DAY “All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise APRIL 22 and wonderful the Lord God made them The Church teaches us to care for all.” God’s creation. So, make Earth Day special. This sweet poem found in many children’s books and artwork was Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato originally a hymn first published in Si’, “Care for Our Common Home,” he is emphasizes caring for our 1848 in Hymns for Little Children by Cecil environment through faith, hope, and Frances “Fanny” Alexander. The song love as a fundamental tenet of our was written by the Irish Christian poet Catholic identity. and song writer based on the opening Catholic Social Teaching also outlines statement of Apostles Creed, “I believe it is our duty to care for God’s in God, the Father almighty, creator of creation and called to protect people heaven and earth.” The Apostles creed is and the planet. Showing respect for used as a testimony of faith not only by the earth and creation shows love of the Roman Catholic Church, but also the Anglican, and some Protestant churches. God, Creator of heaven and earth - “the land, the rivers, the sea and the The hymn has evolved and changed through the years to emphasize the amazing animals that inhabit them – but also world God created for us. Oregon Catholic Press (OCP) shares the Laura Wasson’s and especially God’s human creation: version of the song, which changes the meter and harmony for children’s choirs. men, women and children and how You can listen to it HERE. our actions and inactions affect their All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, wellbeing,” Bishop Mark Brennan said this past fall in a teleconference All things wise and wonderful: the Lord God made them all. with Catholics on ecology, economy, Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, environment and human dignity. God made their glowing colors. God made their tiny wings. In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis warns us, “(Mother Earth) cries out to us Chorus: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, because of the harm we have inflicted All things wise and wonderful: the Lord God made them all. on her by our irresponsible use and The purple headed mountain, the river running by abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her.” The sunset, and the morning that brightens up the sky, This week let our actions be louder Chorus: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, than our words. Be mindful on how All things wise and wonderful: the Lord God made them all. you respect God’s creation in all forms. The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden: God made them every one. Chorus: All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: the Lord God made them all. Versions of the song and poem often go on to include this last stanza, which inspires and reminds us to take action in honor of our Lord, “God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell. How great is God Almighty, who has made all things well!” VENERABLE MattEO FARINA ~ PRAY FOR US “We must live every day as if it were the connected to a brain tumor. For the next six last, but not in the sadness of death, but years he underwent several brain surgeries rather in the joy of being ready to meet the and chemotherapy. His positive attitude Lord!” and goal to get people to fall in love with These are the words of Venerable Matteo Christ did not faulter. His love for Mary Farina. Last spring, Pope Francis advanced strengthened. He said the rosary every day, the cause of sainthood for Farina, a popular and when he was not receiving medical Italian teenager who died in 2009 from a treatments, he was in school and hung out brain tumor. with his friends who like him loved music and sports. Farina was born in 1990 and grew up in a strong Catholic family in Brindisi, in In one of his last journal entries Farina southern Italy. At a very young age he was wrote about how important it is to hold captivated by his faith and the lives of St. onto Jesus: Francis of Assisi and St. Padre Pio, who where Capuchin “My God, I have two hands, let one of them be always clasped friars just like the pastors of his church. to you in order to hold you closer in every trial. And let the At the age of nine, he had a vivid dream and said St. Padre other hand fall throughout the world if this is your will… as Pio told him “who is without sin is happy,” and he must I know you by others, so let others know you through me. I get others to understand this truth, “so that we can all go want to be a mirror, the clearest possible, and if this is your together, happy, to the kingdom of heaven.” will, I want to reflect your light in the heart of every man. Thanks for life. Thanks for faith. Thanks for love. I’m yours.” After sharing the dream with his family and friends he began to keep a journal and write poetry and meditations. He wanted Farina died at home surrounded by his friends and family on to evangelize, his peers he knew and those he did not. April 24, 2009. Let us pray for him to intercede for all youth to find life, happiness, and love in God. In 2003 after his confirmation and just before his 13th birthday, Farina began to have severe headaches doctors later YEAR OF THE FAMILY RESOURCE Domestic Church Project – a website for today’s parents with simple and practical help to strengthen the faith within their family. A Minneapolis couple, Bill and Nancy Bandzuch, developed the website domesticchurchproject.com to help parents who have the typical struggles of having tons to do and not a lot of time to do it. For example, they encourage families to make the most of their time together, be it mealtime or a 15-minute conversation in the car and see that time as an opportunity to grow in faith and honor God. “Studies have shown that when parents show their faith it important, are active in their church, and talk about the faith in the home, 82% of those children will be active in their faith as young adults,” according to the National Study of Youth and Religion – Report on American Catholic Religious Parenting. The Bandzuchs also manage CatholicSprouts.com as another way to help parents evangelize children and “RAISE SAINTS and champions of the faith!” Both sites have wonderful resources, publications, podcasts, and links for Catholic families. Check them out by clicking DOMESTIC CHURCH PROJECT and CATHOLIC SPROUTS. NEWS FROM CatHOLIC CHARITIES WEST VIRGINIA CatHOLIC CHARITIES WEST VIRGINIA EMPOWERS MOUNtaIN StatERS TO A PatHwaY OUT OF POVERTY By: Katie Hinerman Klug, Marketing Communications Specialist Catholic Charities takes a holistic and strengths-based approach to case management. “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s “Without Catholic Charities, I’d be lost,” said Mintie Ross, possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” CCWVa client/neighbor. “I wouldn’t know how to do different – St. Francis of Assisi things – like go to the store and buy cheaper stuff one way or As we look with hope toward the end of the coronavirus another.” pandemic, thousands of West Virginians are still reeling with Catholic Charities provides the support to help clients the challenges the past year has presented. move toward opportunity. Materials supports may include “We are providing three times the assistance we did in transportation to appointments, fees for official documents comparison to last year at this time,” said Beth Zarate, (birth certificate, driver’s license, etc.), vehicle repair, Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa) President and uniform purchase, fees for workplace Chief Executive Officer. certifications, and more. Over the past year, In Martinsburg, our case manager CCWVa has seen many helped Reggie Smith and his family new families that have find housing and connected them to not previously needed available community resources. food assistance or “I’m just so thankful that they financial assistance. [Catholic Charities] opened the door For some of our for us with a [first month’s rent] clients, this temporary deposit,” said Smith. “I thank God assistance is enough. for them. They gave me hope to keep However, some need pushing.” additional guidance, support and services. Catholic Charities To learn more about Catholic Charities West is uniquely suited to help these individuals through our case Virginia, visit www.CatholicCharitiesWV.org. management program and our continuum of services. The Mission of Catholic Charities West “The power of case management is that it empowers people Virginia: Guided by God’s love, Catholic to make lasting changes that lead to greater stability, and Charities collaborates with community partners, parishes and families to provide caring and compassionate services construct a pathway out of poverty based on their unique to people in need and work toward lasting and meaningful change. strengths,” said Zarate. YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH OPPORTUNITY FOR MEN Saint Joseph was indeed a man of strong character and faith. He was chosen by God to teach, nurture, protect, and love His Son Jesus Christ. As men of faith, we are to aspire to be good fathers and guardians, putting faith and family first.